No abstract

This study demonstrates the utility of cognitive interviewing for survey and scale development in criminal justice research and identifies common comprehension problems with survey items for justice-involved youth. A cognitive interviewing strategy was utilized with a sample of youth who completed a survey examining risk factors for recidivism. A content analysis of interviews was used to identify patterns and to classify the nature and type of comprehension issues youth experienced. Five specific comprehension issues were identified including reading comprehension, item ambiguity, precondition binds, double-barreled questions, and double negatives. Findings illustrate the value of cognitive interviewing for pretesting survey items for justice-involved youth and provide further insight into issues surrounding word choice, question structure, and response sets. Results also point to the need to reassess the validity of established scales used in contemporary studies. Limitations of the current study and implications for future research are discussed.

The contemporary notion of human rights has evolved through the beliefs emphasized by religions, past philosophers, and international organizations. Specific examples of human rights violations are also detailed, such as the crimes in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Myanmar. In response to the human rights violations that have occurred throughout the world, key pieces of legislation have been formulated to protect human populations.

Disciplinary infractions in prison can range from major infractions, such as murder, to minor infractions, such as the use of vulgar language. Several explanatory models have been used to understand prison misconduct, including the importation model and the deprivation model. Once a disciplinary infraction has been committed, formal and informal methods can be employed to sanction inmates. Disciplinary actions can be issued by correctional officers or by disciplinary committees. Both correctional officers and disciplinary hearing committees rely heavily on the use of discretion, and inmates are afforded very limited legal protections during these disciplinary hearings. The monetary costs of infractions are examined, as is the impact of punitive sanctions on mentally ill inmates.